Log interface and log walls and buildings constructed therefrom

Abstract

A log wall and log building construction utilizing an improved log having a base with a central chordal surface that runs longitudinally along the log and a channel extending into the log on each side of the chordal base surface. The channels define an outwardly extending channel wall cooperating with the surface of the log and defining an edge that will form a seal with the subjacent log having a cooperating configuration. The surface opposite the base of the logs described above has a chordal longitudinal recess with a longitudinal parallel bead on each side of the recess. Each bead is designed to cooperate with the corresponding channel of an overlying log to form an enhanced seal along the line of engagement between the edge of the log base and the surface of the subjacent log outwardly of the respective bead.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A building having walls that include a plurality of generally horizontal cylindrical logs with upper, lower and side surfaces, said lower and upper surfaces having modified base and cap portions, respectively, to form an interface between adjacent logs, each of said interfaces comprising: a first modified log with a longitudinally extending base formed in the lower surface thereof, said base having a cross section including a major generally flat central base portion and a relatively narrow adjacent channel portion extending from said central base portion to each of said side surfaces, each channel portion including an inner channel wall forming an obtuse angle with said central base portion and an outer channel wall, said outer channel wall extending outwardly to the surface of said log and forming an acute angle and a tapered edge therewith; and, a second modified log disposed beneath said first log and generally parallel thereto, said second log having a longitudinally extending cap formed in the upper surface thereof, said cap having a cross section including a major generally flat central recess portion and a relatively narrow bead portion extending respectively from said central recess portion to each of said side surfaces, each bead portion having a bight formed with an outer bead wall extending outwardly to the surface of said second log, said bead portions being received in the respective channel portions of said first log. 
     
     
       2. The building of claim 1 wherein a wall thereof includes a sill log having a sill face on said lower side configured to rest on an underlying building substructure and having said cap on the upper surface thereof to receive the base of an overlying log. 
     
     
       3. A building including a first wall and an angularly disposed second wall forming an intersection, each wall constructed according to claim 1, wherein the first wall includes a sill log having a sill face on said lower side configured to rest on an underlying building substructure and having said cap on the upper surface thereof to receive the base of an overlying log of said first wall, the logs of each wall having a cut-out in said lower surface to accommodate the subjacent log of the other wall. 
     
     
       4. The building of claim 3 wherein the cut-outs of the first wall and the second wall are scribed cut-outs having an axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the logs of the second wall and the first wall respectively and conforming to the surfaces of the underlying log. 
     
     
       5. A building including a first wall and a second wall, each according to claim 1, said walls intersecting to form a corner wherein a first log of said first wall has a scribed cut-out portion in the lower surface spaced from the end of said first log and overlying a subjacent log of said second wall, said cut-out portion resting on said subjacent log at a position spaced from the end of said subjacent log. 
     
     
       6. The building of claim 3 wherein said walls have aligned vertical apertures therein at said intersection, have a threaded anchor secured in said underlying substructure and extending into said aligned apertures, and have a threaded fastener attached to said threaded anchor to stabilize said wall. 
     
     
       7. The building according to claim 5, wherein the surfaces of said first log and said subjacent log are caulked where the surface of said first log engages the surface of said subjacent log. 
     
     
       8. A log interface for log wall constructions that include a plurality of generally horizontal cylindrical logs with upper, lower and side surfaces, said interface comprising a first modified log with a longitudinally extending base formed in the lower surface thereof, said base having a cross section including a major generally flat central base portion and a relatively narrow adjacent channel portion extending respectively from each side of said central base portion to each of said side surfaces, each channel portion including an inner channel wall forming an obtuse angle with said central base portion and an outer channel wall, said outer channel wall extending outwardly to the surface of said log and forming an acute angle and a tapered edge therewith. 
     
     
       9. The log interface of claim 8 including a second modified log disposed beneath said first log and generally parallel thereto, said second log having a longitudinally extending cap formed in the upper surface thereof, said cap having a cross section including a major generally flat central recess portion and a relatively narrow bead portion extending respectively from said central recess portion to each of said side surfaces, each bead portion having a bight formed with an outer bead wall extending outwardly to the surface of said second log, said bead portions being received in the respective channel portions of said first log. 
     
     
       10. The log interface for generally vertically extending log wall constructions according to claim 8 wherein said modified log has a longitudinally extending cap formed in the upper surface thereof, said cap having a cross section including a major generally flat central recess portion and a relatively narrow bead portion extending respectively from said central recess portion to each of said side surfaces, each bead portion being formed with a bight and an outer bead wall extending from said bight to join the surface of said log. 
     
     
       11. The log interface of claim 9 wherein said central base portion is spaced from said central recess portion. 
     
     
       12. The log interface of claim 11 including insulation occupying the space between said central portions. 
     
     
       13. The log interface of claim 12 wherein said insulation is a compressible web and the thickness of said web is substantially greater than the space between said central portions. 
     
     
       14. The log interface of claim 9 wherein the optimum dimensions of said channel portions provide engagement with said bead portions and the space between said generally flat central portions is substantially sealed. 
     
     
       15. The log interface of claim 9 including a sealant disposed between said cap and said base adjacent the ends of said logs. 
     
     
       16. The log interface of claim 13 wherein said insulation is a fiberglass web having an uncompressed thickness approximately three times the spacing between said central base portion and said central recess portion. 
     
     
       17. The log interface of claim 8 wherein the modified log has a longitudinally extending cap formed in the upper surface thereof which has a major flat central recess portion spaced from the central base portion thereof for receiving the central base portion of an adjacent one of said plurality of logs having said base formed in the lower surface thereof.